Working Groups
Reform Priorities
VicWater met with the Productivity Commission (PC) 25 March 2020 to discuss reform priorities as part of a revised National Water Initiative (NWI). The PC has taken on responsibility, from the now defunct National Water Commission, to progress the NWI. The PC’s priority for the revised NWI is to promote greater policy clarity in areas…
Read MoreOnsite waste water systems and sewer connection powers
In February 2020 VicWater circulated a proposed water industry position on policy options to augment powers to connect properties to sewer services were circulated to water corporations. The DELWP ‘Onsite Domestic Wastewater Management Steering Committee’ developed these policy options in response to a VAGO Performance Audit in 2018.
Read MoreRecreational access to potable water storages
VicWater met with DELWP and the GHD project team 27 March for a progress meeting of the project to develop a state-wide inventory of water storages, and identify cost and timing implications of providing recreational access at currently closed storages, on a transparent per-storage basis.
Read MoreEver heard of Ellen Swallow Richards?
You might never have heard of Ellen Swallow Richards, but her work in water quality analysis and sanitation engineering was both pioneering and game changing. Discover the true story of this amazing woman in Tanya Ha’s latest article. Read more
Read MoreUpdate on Modern Slavery
The Social Procurement working group is collaborating across the Victorian water sector to address issues of modern slavery in the supply chain and build capability to develop Modern Slavery Statements required under Commonwealth legislation. Following an industry wide supply chain risk assessment in 2019, we are now taking a deeper dive into priority areas such…
Read MoreIncreased representation and opportunities
Many Victorian water corporations have established traineeships or internships to encourage and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into water sector jobs. While there is still more work to be done, increased representation on water corporation boards is providing greater visibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the industry, and leadership cultural…
Read MoreCreating an Inclusive Environment
The focus for industry action is on creating safe and inclusive workplaces that make employees feel confident and comfortable to identify as LGBTIQ+. Water corporations are doing this through a combination of awareness training, celebration days, and executive sponsorship. All 19 water corporations supported the launch of the Pride in Water network. The value of…
Read MoreIWA Women in Water Award
Nominations are now open for the International Water Association (IWA) Women in Water Award. This award acknowledges and celebrates female leadership in the field of water. Through this award, the IWA recognises those women working in the field of water who, through their demonstrated leadership, have had a significant positive impact on the development of…
Read MoreFlexible workplaces supporting parents and carers
The link between having caring responsibilities and having flexible work arrangements is not always clearly identified. However all Victorian water corporations have established policies and procedures around parental or carers’ leave which is a relevant indicator of industry progress. In addition, some water corporations have specific programs in place to support employees on extended carers’…
Read MoreMore focus needed to reach targets
Despite the progress that has been achieved to date, we know that a more dedicated focus is needed if the industry is to reach the 10% collective target for disability. Work is progressing through VicWater to set up ‘WaterAble’, a network for people with disabilities and their allies to promote and support disability inclusion and…
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